KPK Confiscates IDR 1.3 Billion From Ilham Habibie Regarding The Mercedes Benz 280 SL Purchased By Ridwan Kamil

KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo/PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) confiscated billions of rupiah from the son of the 3rd President of the Republic of Indonesia B. J. Habibie, Ilham Akbar Habibie regarding allegations of corruption in the procurement of advertisements at PT Bank Pembangunan Daerah Jawa Barat and Banten Tbk or Bank BJB (BJBR).

KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo said the money confiscated was the proceeds from the sale of the Mercedes Benz 280 SL purchased by former West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil from Ilham Habibie. The purchase of the car allegedly used Bank BJB non-budget funds.

The non-budget fund is the difference in paying for the procurement of advertisements for Bank BJB returned by the tender winning company. The management is called the KPK carried out by the corporate secretary (corsec) section.

"KPK confiscated Rp1.3 billion from IH's brother. The money is thought to have come from RK's brother in connection with the purchase of one of IH's car assets," Budi told reporters at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Tuesday, September 30.

Budi said the amount was returned by Ilham because Ridwan Kamil had not paid off the car which actually cost Rp. 2.6 billion.

"Where the purchase has only been made partially, meaning it has not been paid off," he said.

Budi agrees that investigators will also return the car, which is still in the name of B. J. Habibie, to Ilham. This is because the refund has been made.

"That's right. Later the car will be returned to IH's brother because IH has returned it and has been confiscated, namely Rp1.3 billion," he explained.

Ilham Akbar Habibie admitted that he handed over the money paid by Ridwan Kamil when he bought the Mercedes Benz 280 SL to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

"So a few, two weeks ago I handed over the money to the KPK which was in accordance with their request," Ilham told reporters at the location.

Ilham said the handover of the money was so that his father's classic car could be returned after being bought by Ridwan Kamil but was not paid.

Ilham also said that the inspection was running quickly because he was only asked to sign an official report regarding the return of the car. The vehicle in the name of B. J. Habibie is said to be returned this week.

"Furthermore, there is a car return process to our side," he said.

The buying and selling process occurred in 2021 and began when Ridwan Kamil saw the vehicle collected by B.J. Habibie. The Golkar Party politician then bid for Habibie's 280 SL Mercedes Benz and agreed on a selling value of Rp. 2.6 billion.

The sedan was sold by the family because it was to take care of the other collection of B.J. Habibie cars. In addition, there was a similar car so the agreement was made.

In the course of this case, investigators continue to explore where these non-budgeters are flowing. A number of parties have been investigated, including the celebrity Lisa Mariana, who is suspected of having been close to Ridwan Kamil.

Then the KPK has confiscated a number of vehicles allegedly owned by former West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil. Including, a Royal Enfield motorbike that is now in the KPK Confiscated Goods Storage House (Rupbasan), Cawang, East Jakarta.

Previously reported, the KPK has named five suspects in connection with allegations of corruption in the procurement of advertisements at PT Bank Pembangunan Daerah Jawa Barat and Banten Tbk or Bank BJB (BJBR).

They are former President Director of Bank BJB Yuddy Renaldi; Head of Bank BJB Corporate Secretary Division Widi Hartoto; Agency Controller Antedja Muliatama and Cakrawala Kreasi Mandiri Kin Asikin Dulmanan; Agency Controller BSC Advertising and PT Wahana Semesta Bandung Ekspres (WSBE) Suhendrik; and Controller of PT Cipta Karya Sukses Bersama (CKSB) and PT Cipta Karya Mandiri Bersama (CKMB) Raden Sophan Jaya Kusuma.

This case investigation warrant (sprindik) was issued on February 27, 2025. The actions of the five suspects are suspected of having caused the state to lose up to Rp22 billion.

Currently, the detention has not been carried out on five suspects. However, they have been prevented from traveling abroad for six months and can be extended according to the needs of the investigation.